Becchio Has Surgery

Leeds United will have to start the new Championship season without striker Luciano Becchio.

The Argentine forward, who scored 20 goals last season, has undergone surgery on his hamstring injury.

Manager Simon Grayson told the club website: "Luciano has had the operation and will miss the start of the season."

No time scale has been given on Becchio's return but Leeds are already without fellow striker Davide Somma for six to nine months.

Better news for Grayson is the return to fitness of defender Patrick Kisnorbo and midfielder Lloyd Sam, both of whom are in contention for Saturday's friendly at Sheffield Wednesday.

The pair, along with striker Robert Snodgrass, missed the midweek win at Rochdale.

"Paddy Kisnorbo and Lloyd Sam both trained on Thursday," Grayson said.

"Snodgrass is touch and go, and there's one or two with knocks who might not make it.

"Billy Paynter has tonsillitis as well so he won't be playing."

PEARSON ACCUSES SAM OF "coward's challenge"

Nigel Pearson last night accused Leeds United substitute Lloyd Sam of putting Liam Rosenior in hospital with a "coward's challenge".
The Tigers' manager was incensed by the stoppage time incident that led to his right-back being stretchered from the field.

Rosenior had regained consciousness by the time the ambulance left the KC Stadium but Pearson said: "It was a shocking challenge, a bit of a coward's challenge.

"I am not happy with it all as he led with with the arm."

In contrast to the Hull chief, his Leeds counterpart Simon Grayson had a rather different take on the incident that involved two players who have been firm friends since first playing football together in London at the age of 15.

Grayson said: "I have just seen it and Lloyd has gone for the ball but, unfortunately, followed through with his arm.

"The momentum carried him through and it was just an unfortunate accident. Lloyd is not a physical player and doesn't have a bad bone in his body. There was no malice.